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Makeover Monday:Escalators on my bookshelves

April 24, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Home, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Systems & Techniques Leave a Comment

I’ve been super busy lately and haven’t shared many makeovers:( But I’ll be back soon with loads of great before and afters. In the meantime, here’s a quick Monday makeover from my own Living Room with color Escalators on my bookshelves!

OCD Bookshelf Organizing: Color Escalators on my Bookshelves!

I’m sure you’ve seen this kind of thing before and I actually love to group books within color “families” but one evening last week I was laying on my sofa looking at this bookshelf thinking, I need to give this a serious update! I love color and I love order but this was just feeling way to rigid, would you agree?

I also have this other shelf in the same room with my collection of cookbooks and pottery, so I worked on both shelves together, bringing some of the books to the other shelf and some of my pottery to the taller shelf. Color is still a big part of the finished arrangement but there are no longer “escalators” of colors…running across each shelf:)

Instead, there are groups of books by color, size and subject, arranged in both vertical and horizontal manner to break up the space and create display vignettes that show off some of my pottery and other favorite objects (crystals, this vintage capiz shell globe etc).

My lawyers bookshelf still contains my cookbooks and some other books, as well as more objects and collections. I have a lot of feathers that I love and have to keep out of the way or the cats will steal them! So, my feather collection remains behind glass as well as some of the more delicate porcelain and pottery pieces.

While I was at it, organizing and re-arranging…I also took the opportunity to purge a bag full of books for donations. I love books and I still have more books not shown but I can’t bring myself to part with the many books I refer back to again and again. What do your bookshelves look like? Would you like to share them with me on social media? If so please find me on IG or FB and share your bookshelves with the hashtag #creativelyorganizedbooks!!

Short Organizing “Resource” books

March 15, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Recently there have been a lot of new organizing books published

Many people liked The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (which I reviewed here) but there are some other wonderful new small Organizing Books and here are two, both excellent and quite different in their layout and approach of the same subject matter: Clutter Clearing!

Never Too Busy to Cure Clutter (More than 365 Tips to Maker Room for What’s Truly Important) by Erin Rooney Doland

I kind of feel that if I were to write a book on organizing it would be similar to this in many ways. Erin’s tone here is not one of preaching or stating that in order to successfully banish clutter you must do things in A—>B—>C order. Erin explains for some people priorities may be different, with a different emphasis on areas of the, some being more or less critical depending on your lifestyle. I love that this book is broken down by area of the home, identifying the ‘everyone’s use’ spaces and those that are more ‘private’. This brings me back to my days of doing hospitality work and maybe it would be helpful for you to also think of your home in terms of ‘Public’ and ‘Private’ spaces. Public or everyone spaces such as Entry, Living Room, Dining Room Kitchen and Bath are addressed first and more private areas in the second section. Each section (chapter) is broken down into tasks you can do in 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes or 15 minutes. In this manner she successfully makes it clear that living clutter free means always maintaining your home by doing small tasks with regularity. She reminds us that tasks will take each of us a different amount of time so to be aware of what task you choose and record it right in the book if it takes you more or less time. What I think works well about this book is that by repeating the same format of steps throughout the house but with tasks specific to those areas of the home she illustrates that there is a certain mindset behind living clutter free and she helps you to begin to identify what steps you need to take in each room on a regular basis to make lasting changes in your habits. In breakout sections through out the book she gives hints and tips on resources and tools (techniques, storage, apps, programs). Finally she concludes with some great examples of sample habits and routines including tasks and estimated time that can help us identify what we need to do on a regular basis. Maybe it helps to think of routines as rituals…like our morning ritual, house cleaning ritual, travel rituals etc. I’ve read quite a few small organizing “resource” books and find this one to be jam packed full of excellent practical advice and useful information.

Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness (One-Minute Tips for Decluttering and Refreshing Your Home and Your Life) by Donna Smallin

This book is almost what I would call a “Pocket Guide” to clutter clearing. Open it to the front and you won’t find a chapter index…she dives right into small tips and motivational words to get you clutter busting any time you are in the mood. The book has a warm and cheery energy with orange and gold hues throughout …(I love a books that have creative layout’s that are different!) The whole book is loosely organized by certain areas of the home but open to any given page and on each page you will find a motivational tip, quote or thought provoking mindset topic. In a very lighthearted way she probes into the “why” behind our clutter habits. Along with mantra’s and time savers like “Don’t Just Put it Down, Put it Away” there are a variety of organizing tasks to do within one minute (aprox). By the end she is really helping you to develop new healthy habits that will keep the clutter clear for good. In summary she ends by sharing that clutter comes from our bad habits, setting things down where they don’t belong, not having permanent homes for certain items, not making decisions that will keep us clear of clutter. It really comes down to two things…Commitment to Change and repeatedly following through by acting on these clutter clearing tasks. This is a great book for anyone who struggles with small day to day clutter tasks and keeping in the mindset of changing bad habits.

What Clutter Clearing books have you read or found helpful?

Friday Favorites::Book Roundup of 2015

December 11, 2015 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Inspiration & Education Leave a Comment

In no particular order here’s the list of books I read this past year (and counting since I’m still finishing up a couple!). I’ve made a couple notes below each about favorite quotes and thoughts on the book overall. It was a diverse year of reading and I dove into some very new topic’s of exploration!

13 Original Clan Mothers: Your Sacred Path to Discovering the Gifts, Talents and Abilities of the Feminine Through the Ancient Teachings of the Sisterhood by Jamie Sams ***

I had a hard time getting started with this book but once I got focused I found it delightfully helpful as a means to share archetypal stories and teachings of life.

The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens with Attention Deficit Disorders by Sandra F. Rief, Ariel Rief ***

Reference-this book was read (jumped around a bit) as a means to help clients

Olive Kitterage by Elizabeth Stout **

Not a favorite, kind of downtrodden and depressing story. I abandoned it a little over half way through (but at some point will watch the TV series)

Little Bee by Chris Cleave ****

I loved this charming story, picked it up because of the name (my kitty’s name too) and was pleasantly delighted with it.

Lillian Too’s 168 Feng Shui Ways to Declutter Your Home by Lillian Too ****

Not your light hearted Feng Shui book of Decluttering, a bit more in dept but I really enjoyed the deeper dive into this practice that I often find helpful for myself and client work.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin ****

I’ve been getting wonderful daily quotes from Gretchen for years and I finally got this book checked off my list. It was helpful to hear how she put Happiness into practice as a conscious Choice (my word of the year for 2015)

The Little Friend by Donna Tartt ***
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes *****

Started this thick read in the last months of 2014 and finished in the first part of 2015. It’s a big read and I couldn’t put it down at times. I’d long wanted to read this book, it almost felt like a right of passage. I was delighted to find out that my 95 year old grandmother had read it. I think it’s a book all women should read (and it was a great segue into 13 Original Clan Mothers).

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert *****

I was skeptical, what more can be said about creativity than already has (especially for someone who’s read a lot of self help/creativity books) but EG had a really fresh take on what makes creative magic happen in our daily lives.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry ***

Off to a slow start, was intrigued by the theme and topic of the book and gradually was guided in deeper as the story unfolds to a little mystery, romance, history (non biographical) and magic.

The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life by Mark Nepo ****

This book has traveled with me through a good part of the year. I read a chapter or two at a time and let the messages, poems and story’s sink in deep. I got this book after meeting Mark and hearing him speak earlier in the year.

Hildegard of Bingen by Matthew Fox ****

The divine feminine has been a big reading subject for me this year (can you tell!?). I was drawn to this book after meeting Matthew and hearing him speak earlier in the year.

The Artist Way by Julia Cameron ****

This is the 3rd time around reading this book. I facilitated a reading group for 5 artists/writers over 12 weeks and watched as all our lives were transformed and catalyzed by the practice of implementing simple process such as the Artist Date and journaling.

Organizing Plain and Simple by Donna Smallin****

Reference-One of the newer organizing books out this year. Donna breaks down what can sometimes seem daunting into a really simple process. As an organizer I was familiar with almost all the process and suggestions in this book but would certainly recommend it to anyone going through the process of organizing on their own (doesn’t cover challenges such as organizing for ADHD and Chronic Dis-organization)

Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness by Donna Smallin****

This little “quick reference book” is really fun and an easy, quick read. Well broken up by subject/theme of organization.

The Two Choices by Carrie Jole Dale ****

This book was written by my friend Carrie and I had to read it because Choice has been my WOTY (word of the year). She simplifies our ongoing quest for finding happiness and self fulfillment by sharing her thoughts on what it really boils down to. (Hint: “You are your own Guru!”-CJD)

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews *****

I found myself drawn to animals and the messages that they share with us, often looking up references online until I finally got this book for myself. I use it often as a reference but also am fascinated by some of the rituals and practices we can engage in to connect us more deeply to the animals that surround us daily.

Numerology with Tantra, Ayurveda and Astrology by Harish Johari ****

This is not your typical numerology book. It’s more complex but also leads to a much more personal and specific analysis of how numbers and patterns show up in your life and help you learn and find connections to those around you. I label this one as reference as well.

It’s kind of interesting to look back on my year in books, some interesting themes emerge. I’ve got several books on my holiday wish list and many of them are creative. I also have a few books “left over” form this year that I plan to read in 2016. What books did you read this year and what were your favorites?

Organizer Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

December 30, 2014 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Inspiration & Education, Organize

As a Professional Organizer, I knew I had a responsibility to read and share my review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. I come across a lot of people (both online and in person) talking about this book, which has become an international best seller. It is short (just over 200 pages) and a quick read. It’s written by the 30-something “Tidying expert” Marie Kondo. I also had to read it because I ‘m a little obsessed with all things Japanese:)

Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Let me start with THE GOOD. The book is infused with positivity throughout. She uses fun, catchy terms, titles and upbeat phrases such as: “the magic of tidying”, “Storing your things to make your life shine”, “Storage experts are hoarders” and “Does this spark joy?”. Her attitude becomes contagious and helps you to BELIEVE you can follow her simple steps and have a magically tidy life! Her general philosophy is; “Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. Your true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want…” Marie uses categories to determine why we can’t tidy: Busy, Lazy or too particular. She further categorizes everyone into “can’t-throw-it-away”, “can’t-put-it-back” and the combined type.

Many of the principals she shares are simple philosophies that have been employed by other organizers such as “Purge first” and “Tidy by Category” which are both solid (but rather common and not magical). I was inspired to test out her purging method of gathering EVERYTHING from one category and put them all together on the floor with my clothing and books. I can’t say if I got rid of more that I would have otherwise but there is something interesting she says is a “requirement” for this method; which is that each item MUST BE TOUCHED-to determine if it Sparks Joy. Some people might find this woo-woo but I personally love it. She goes into great depth about the energy of things and having gratitude for the role each of our things serve in our lives and how to determine when items have served their purpose so you can let them go.

I totally agree that there are MANY ERRONEOUS APPROACHES TO ORGANIZING THAT DON’T WORK FOR MOST PEOPLE (some of which might be in this book:)! I also agree with her that “rebound occurs when people don’t see results that empower them”. They give up too soon, they revert or more likely they never completely finished organizing, to begin with. She wisely says “You will never get your house in order if you only clean up half-heartedly”.

Here’s my opinion of the NOT SO GOOD. I think a couple statements and techniques she employs would be very difficult or impossible for some, perhaps due to cultural differences or perhaps because of her “all or nothing” approach.

I don’t think that “Tidying by location is a fatal mistake”.
If someone is hoarding they probably will not get rid of anything if they touch every single item.
It’s dangerous to tell people that their paper sorting rule of thumb should be to “Discard everything” (oh that we may want to though!).
It’s probably naive to believe that she has never had a rebound client (that she knows of).
I disagree that if you continue to attempt to tidy on a regular basis you will be doomed to failure.
I tried her method of fold-rolling clothes in drawers and it’s quite annoying to maintain. You have to have just the right amount or stuff flops over.
I refuse to unpack and put everything in my purse away every time I come home.
She claims to only tidy once or twice a year for about an hour…humm, this sounds a bit erroneous to me (either by definition or exaggeration?).

The main issue I take is her belief that her “Kon-Marie” method will work for everyone. Perhaps it’s because she has reached a semi celebrity state (in the Japanese world of Organizing and Tidying) that people are willing to employ her method wholeheartedly and singularly.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love that she is digging deeply into the both systems and the psychology (the “soul” of us and our stuff) of why we behave the way we do. I love some of the cultural quirks and approaches she takes to relating to her clients and stuff. As with ANY organizing book though I think you would be wise to try the techniques and be open to modifying what doesn’t work for you. This book inspired me to try some different techniques but if you have read this and don’t feel you can follow along with her method, don’t worry, there is still hope for you to establish the lifestyle you want. Some people who try to organize their own lives take the wrong approach (at first or repeatedly) and most Professional Organizers have studied many different methods and techniques to help you reach your end goal. It’s a matter of customizing and finding a system that works for YOU! If you think you need a little more guidance than this book has to offer, I’d love to

If you think you need a little more guidance than this book has to offer, I’d love to hear from you and help you!

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Makeover Monday:Escalators on my bookshelves

Short Organizing “Resource” books

Recently there have been a lot of new organizing books published

Friday Favorites::Book Roundup of 2015

Organizer Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

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